Advocating for LGBTQ Youth

Advocating for LGBTQ Youth

Aug 27 2015

I don't know how I would have made it through growing up gay without supportive parents and a community that stood up for my needs. LGBTQ kids in the foster care system, many of whom end up in care after being abused or kicked out of their homes because of their orientation or gender identity, aren't granted any of those advantages. We don't have a single residential treatment center that is specifically designed to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth in Texas.  Read More

What Spiderman, Superman, the X-Men and CASA kids have in common

What Spiderman, Superman, the X-Men and CASA kids have in common

Aug 18 2015

We have always believed in the CASA Superhero Run motto – “Every child needs a hero but abused children need superheroes.” CASA volunteers are true superheroes for children in our community who’ve been abused or neglected. But over the 6 years we've hosted the CASA Superhero Run, we’ve learned a lot more about superhero characters and how much they have in common with the children we serve, not just with our volunteer advocates.

The majority of kids’ cases we help to close end in family reunification – 52% of the cases last year to be exact. If you watched the 2011 Thor film, or read the 1968 comic Thor #159, you’ll remember that Thor was kicked out of Asgard and banished to Earth by his father Odin. Eventually, Thor was reunified with his family after his time apart from them.

The second highest number of closed cases ended with.. Read More

7 Million Reasons for Child Welfare Reform - Texas CASA’s 2015 Legislative Successes

7 Million Reasons for Child Welfare Reform - Texas CASA’s 2015 Legislative Successes

Aug 14 2015

With more than 7 million children, Texas has the second-largest child population in the nation – one that is, by itself, larger than the total populations of 37 individual states. This creates enormous challenges for Texas, including an extra responsibility to provide for and protect children and youth who, through no fault of their own, end up in the state’s custody due to abuse or neglect. Read More

Runners We Love: The King Family

Runners We Love: The King Family

Aug 12 2015

For Brian King, Board President at CASA of Williamson County, and his family, the CASA Superhero Run has been a family tradition ever since WilCo joined the event in 2012. “It's been something the whole family looks forward to," and Brian says he and his wife Catherine have watched their three daughters grow up as superheroes.

When they first ran the race dressed as PowerPuff Girls in 2012, Isabelle, Madeline and Jacqueline were 6, 5 and 3, respectively. For them, the race was just a fun day of costumes and activities, but over the years things have changed. They've begun to understand what the race is about.  "The older girls know the reason we are dressing up," explained Brian, "and the reason we tell our friends about CASA is because there are kids who don't have a mom or a dad or family member that can help speak up for them.” And that's not a thing most children their age understand. Read More